About Me

My favorite colors are blue, green, and purple. I love Tex-Mex food and frozen yogurt! I have three dogs and two cats. I am always down for dancing. I find languages extremely fascinating. I was obsessed with Dragon Ball Z as a young girl. I enjoy video game and movie nights with friends. The desire to know our world and all of the culture and spirit that makes it so rich inspires me every day. I have an ever-growing curiosity to explore and hunger to learn!

Campus and Community Involvement

With the Honors College, I volunteer as an Ambassador and work as a Writing Tutor. On campus, I am part of AIESEC, the world’s largest student-run organization dedicated to leadership and global exchange. I also volunteer as the program coordinator of Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees. You can hear me as a DJ on the UH Coog Radio, as well. In downtown, I work as intern at City Hall with City Controller Ronald Green. Over the last year, I explored many different organizations until I found those that offer the most personally enriching experiences.

Awards and Honors

In High School, I received various honors for course academics, standardized tests, UIL Yearbook, and the Scholastic Art and Writing competition. I was also a founder and leader of many on-campus organizations, including the Bellaire Poetry Club, Best Buddies, Carillon Yearbook, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Cardinal Mentors. In my senior year, I received the award for VIPS Youth Volunteer of the Year from HISD. Over the course of my high school career, my poetry was included in five publications. During the college applications process, I received various scholarship offers, but the UH Tier One Scholarship offered the most all-encompassing experience. Since attending to UH, I have received several more community and university scholarships to support me in my educational and extracurricular endeavors.   

Study Abroad

I spent the entire summer of 2011 working in Colombia. I taught English at a high school and university and coordinated leadership workshops with a local non-profit organization. I also had the opportunity to travel and attend a national conference. I returned to Houston fluent in Spanish. I am now finishing my Spanish minor and beginning a new adventure with Mandarin Chinese courses. My experience abroad has inspired me to explore the cultures, politics, and economies of the rest of the world and immerse myself in as much diversity as possible. Next summer, I hope to work in China or a French-speaking country in Africa.

Research

In Fall 2012, I hope to conduct undergraduate research about developmental economics in under-developed countries. Already, I have completed two research projects. My first explored the influence of the Hispanic community in U.S. politics. The second investigated the different strategies to balance the City of Houston budget and create a sustainable spending level. Through these research experiences, I have learned about the topics themselves, fortified my personal career interests, and developed practical research strategies and organizational skills.  

Future Endeavors

I am exploring many options for after graduation. If I attend Graduate School, I would love to study at the University of Chicago School of Economics. If I decide not to continue my studies, I hope to work with the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America. Ultimately, my dream is to work as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, traveling the world while working at different embassies.